Two important CDs present some of the most beautiful compositions of the guitarist and composer Fred Frith, played by the Arte Quartett, by Fred Firth on guitar, and the guests Katharina Weber (piano) and Lucas Niggli (drums). Still Urban (Intakt CD 155) paints a panorama of urbanity in nine images with Fred Frith’s guitar molding the sound, adding to the choir of the Saxophoneophonists. The CD The Big Picture (Intakt CD 156) contains two cycles of compositions by Fred Frith. There is on the one hand The Big Picture – For Saxophone Quartet and Two Improvising Soloists and then there is the legendary series of compositions Freedom in Fragments that Fred Frith wrote in the nineties. On The Big Picture the improvisations of pianist Katharina Weber and drummer Lucas Niggli contrast with the notated choir for Saxophone of the Arte Quartet. Fred Frith wrote Freedom in Fragments originally for the Rova Quartet. Here the series of compositions – comprising 23 different pieces that can be played in various arrangements – exhibit brilliant new forms and new interpretations. The two CDs Still Urban and The Big Picture show the uniqueness of Fred Frith’s sound world, his range and mastery in composition.

Cover Art: Heike Liss
Graphic design: Jonas Schoder

Music composed by Fred Frith. Recorded in January 2008 at the studios of Swiss Radio DRS 2, Zürich. Engineer: Ron Kurz. Compiled, edited, and mixed March/May 2008 at Guerrilla Recording, Oakland. Mastered August 2008 at Headless Buddha, Oakland. Engineer: Myles Boisen. Produced, published and copyright by Intakt Records, Patrik Landolt